Designers and iPads are a dangerous mix. We're already easily distracted, but with an iPad by my side, one minute I'm working on a proposal — the next, I'm trying to keep the Yeti zombie from eating my brain. It really makes for a rollercoaster of a day.

The first few days I had my iPad I spent a lot of time scouring the App Store, downloading the standards (Evernote, Twitter, Tumblr, Penultimate, etc.) and digging up a few obscurities I thought might have potential. Most of those initial apps didn't have a lot of long-term appeal, but here are some that I still rely on for productivity tools and creative outlets:

FlickrStackr ($1.99)
I love FlickrStackr because it allows me to quickly find photo references when concepting. You can also save photo searches as "Stacks" — from your own photos or anybody else's — without having to publish it to flickr.
 

iThoughtsHD ($9.99)
iThoughtsHD is a mind-mapping app which I have found to be a great asset early on in the design process. It's loaded with features that allow you to organize all your brainstorming down into digital format.
 

WURM ($1.99)
WURM creates trippy patterns with its random pattern generation. With a wave of your hand, you can unleash a dazzling array of colors and shapes, or you can let the shuffle mode do the work for you. For me, it becomes a source for meditation while waiting for files to render.
 

Sketchbook Pro ($4.99)
Despite the fact I carry an actual sketchbook with me, I like Sketchbook Pro because it allows me to quickly crank out ideas without having pens and markers at the ready. Plus, I can't upload my paper sketches easily to Dropbox — yet.
 

Contre Jour ($0.99)
Contre Jour is a beautiful game. You move, swing, and leap through an interactive landscape, solving puzzles. The soundtrack and limited color palette make for a wonderful experience. (Let's face it, I can't always be designing.)
 

The wonderful thing about the iPad is that while I love these apps, my new favorite is just around the corner. You never know when the next "big thing" will come out, or what exactly it will do, but the iPad has helped add a new dimension to graphic design.

What are some of your favorite apps for design — or just in general?

~Patrick S., Graphic Designer II